FOOTBALL 2014: Q&A with Greenwood QB/LB Zach Redwine

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, August 25, 2014

Greenwood's Zach Redwine makes a catch to score against Kermit last season at Grande Communications Stadium. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Greenwood's Zach Redwine makes a catch to score against Kermit last season at Grande Communications Stadium. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: JAMES DURBIN

FOOTBALL 2014: Q&A with Greenwood QB/LB Zach Redwine

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Zach Redwine enters his senior year with the Greenwood football team expecting to play both quarterback and strongside linebacker.

Redwine has been a solid two-way player for the Rangers the last two seasons and is coming off a junior season in which he was the team’s leading second-leading tackler with 51 to go with an interceptions and three fumbles recovered. Offensively, he caught seven passes for 48 yards, was 5-for-13 passing for 57 yards, and added 25 yards rushing and one touchdown on five carries.

This season, the Rangers will look to the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Redwine to be a leader and help them improve from a 2-8 record last season.

The Reporter-Telegram sat down with Redwine at the beginning of two-a-day practices for a question and answer session about him as a player and his thoughts about the upcoming season.

What are the expectations for your team this fall?

“I expect us to come out more focused and determined to have a better season than we did last year. We should use last season as a determination to do better. We’re taking it step by step. We want to be 5-0 going into district, obviously try to win a district championship, and just take it from there. Being 2-8 should be motivation enough, because nobody wants to go through a season like that. We need to get back to playing Greenwood Ranger football.”

Talk about playing quarterback. I know you’ve played that before but not extensively. Any adjustments?

“I like the pressure, I like to perform in pressure situations. But I would like the opportunity to control the offense, help move the ball around the field and just be the operator on the field. I think if I get the chance I’ll be able to do it. I’ve been a backup for the last two years. Last year I played about half of the Big Spring game and some of the Snyder game.”

How do you think you’ve changed as a player during your time on varsity?

“I’ve defnitely matured a lot and learned a lot about the game. (Defensive coordinator Lee Brockman) has taught me a lot about playing linebacker. Just the experience I had as a sophomore and being on that team (9-4) and having a key role helped mold me into a better player and it taught me how to win. I’ve experienced that and it was good preparation for my senior year by learning how to lead not only the older guys but the younger ones.”

What’s hardest part about playing each position?

“Obviously as quarterback there’s a lot of pressure on you, but as sam linebacker, it’s just a really physical position and you’re responsible for calling the strength of the defense. You have to be mentally prepared as well as physically.”

Do you think it’s harder or easier to play football on both sides of the ball now considering all the teams that run spread offenses and like to pass the ball?

“You have to be in good shape. I worked on getting into good shape this preseason and worked over the summer on getting into good shape. We’ll just see how it goes. With faster offenses, it’s all about conditioning really. You also have to be mentally prepared. You can’t slack off with either, especially with the positions I’m playing.”

Do you have a specific pre-game ritual?

“I like to listen to my favorite worship music. Some people like to listen to some screamer music, but I just like to relax by listening to some gospel music. I don’t really talk to anybody. I also normally look at pictures of my family to kind of motivate me. Last season I figured out that instead of being crazy before a game, I actually like to be calm, it helps me play better. I play for mom and my older brother (Bradley), who passed away when I was 2 years old. That truly motivates me to do my best because you never know how much time you have. Their initials are actually on my towel that I wear. That’s just like a motivator tool.”

What are going to be the keys for you guys to have a successful season?

“Being physical is going to be a big key on defense, and running crisp routes. Everybody just needs to push toward that same goal to just win on Friday night and win every play.”